Hello!

[JerseySean]

Hi there, am new to the forum, many thanks to Admin Sue for the assistance in getting set up on here.

After deciding to upgrade from our beloved Dell Quay Dory 13 and being interested in this particular boat for a while I'm pleased to say we have picked up our first Shetland in the form of this Family Four.

Hull and engine are in sound condition however the interior, electrics, windows and deck all need replacing so it'll be a big winter project for us, however we're very much looking forward to getting her in the water and enjoying her around the islands and adjecent French coast next year.

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions and will upate the progress along the way!

Cheers, Sean.

[vreagh]

Looks like you have a good solid Shetland there to make into your ideal boat. Welcome to the forum and keep us up to date.

[dellquay13]

Hi Sean,
I too started wth a beloved DellQuay dory before upgrading to an F4 mk4 like yours. Your F4 will cope well with the conditions from the big tidal ranges and currents you get over that side of the channel.
If you get the chance, get down to the cote de emeraud between St Malo and Tregiuer, especially above the Rance barrage and up the Trieux river to Pontrieux. It's a brilliant cruising range with some spot on marinas well spaced for hopping between for a week or two.
Don't be afraid to ask for advice on anything F4 related.
Chris

[JerseySean]

Hi Sean,
I too started wth a beloved DellQuay dory before upgrading to an F4 mk4 like yours. Your F4 will cope well with the conditions from the big tidal ranges and currents you get over that side of the channel.
If you get the chance, get down to the cote de emeraud between St Malo and Tregiuer, especially above the Rance barrage and up the Trieux river to Pontrieux. It's a brilliant cruising range with some spot on marinas well spaced for hopping between for a week or two.
Don't be afraid to ask for advice on anything F4 related.
Chris

Cheers Chris, much appreciated

That's precisely what we're hoping to do, it's such beautiful area.

Big work ahead though, started ripping the deck out yesterday and the plywood is wetter than the foam

I'll get a bit more done and start a thread in the DIY section and update as we go along.

[dellquay13]

Hi Sean,

I replaced the cockpit sole on my F4 a few years ago. The original ply was only about 9mm and completely sodden and delaminated from the fibreglass above. I replaced it with 12mm ply, which I sealed on all sides and edges with resin after cutting before fixing it down. There were several lengths of rotten 2x2 softwood set into the foam as general stiffening, and I sealed and replaced them too. I put several layers of resin and woven mat down once the ply was screwed into place and then a final flowcoat to complete the waterproofing.
It's been fine since, even with the amount of slam you regularly get crashing through the standing waves and overfalls at the tidal races offshore around the Pembrokeshire coast and islands.

Chris

[JerseySean]

Hi Sean,

I replaced the cockpit sole on my F4 a few years ago. The original ply was only about 9mm and completely sodden and delaminated from the fibreglass above. I replaced it with 12mm ply, which I sealed on all sides and edges with resin after cutting before fixing it down. There were several lengths of rotten 2x2 softwood set into the foam as general stiffening, and I sealed and replaced them too. I put several layers of resin and woven mat down once the ply was screwed into place and then a final flowcoat to complete the waterproofing.
It's been fine since, even with the amount of slam you regularly get crashing through the standing waves and overfalls at the tidal races offshore around the Pembrokeshire coast and islands.

Chris

Sounds like yours was in a very similar state to mine! Front to back the whole lot is coming out, will replace the foam with stringers too.